Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
Monday, July 20, 2026
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on July 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.
This meeting is physically open to the Public and citizens who wish to provide public comment during the meeting will be invited to do so by the Mayor.
Written comments can be submitted to be included as part of the administrative record; they will not be read during the meeting. All comments must be received by 3:00 pm on the day of the noticed meeting and can be submitted to the City Clerk at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370, or via email to [email protected].
Public Access Audio and Video Live Streaming
The Public will not have access to give public comments via public access audio and video live streaming; they are available for audio and visual only; and can be accessed via our website at www.sonoraca.com.
Remote viewing of the meeting via live streaming is provided to members of the public as a courtesy. If the live streaming connection malfunctions for any reason and no Council Members are attending via teleconference, the City Council will continue the public meeting in Chambers without remote access.
CITY COUNCIL appreciates your interest and encourages participation. Regularly scheduled meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.
The numerical order of the items on this agenda is for convenience of reference. Items may be taken out of order upon request of the Mayor or Council Members. All questions shall be directed to the Mayor who, at their discretion, will refer to Staff.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Council Members Bess Levine, Stephen Opie, Mark Plummer City Administrator Christopher Gorsky
City Attorney Douglas White___________________________________________________________________ Approved by Sonora
City Council August 3, 2026
Nicole McCutchen,
City Clerk
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CLOSED SESSION - 4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(2): 1 potential case; Tyler Summerset, Community Development Director.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Gov. Code, 54956.9) Name of Case: Nunes v. City of Sonora, Tuolumne County Superior Case No. CV67840; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator; Christina Pritchard, City Attorney
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 2:47 pm.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
The public may address the Council on any item of public interest not otherwise on the agenda that is within the jurisdiction of the City. No action may be taken. Matters to be addressed may be referred to City Staff or placed on a subsequent meeting Agenda. Speakers are limited to a three (3) minute presentation.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom addressed the public.
Charles Segerstrom addressed the Council.
Mike Lemke gave an update.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive a Presentation on Pioneer Community Energy’s (Pioneer) Planned Service Launch into the City of Sonora in October 2027; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
Drake Trumble Communication Coordinator Pioneer Community Energy gave a brief background review; discussed Community Choice Aggregators (CCA) and how it works; who is Pioneer; who Pioneer serves; the benefits for Sonora; early access programs; and benefits to the Sonora citizens.
Lisa Rhoads Community Outreach Manager Pioneer Community Energy presented expansion planning including, strategic considerations; planning a phased approach; and key takeaways.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be voted on in one motion unless a Council member or member of the public has a question or wishes to discuss an item. In that case, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.
4. Consider Approval of the Meeting Minutes from July 6, 2026; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
5. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for June 2026 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator
6. Consider Acceptance of Disbursements Report in the Amount of $200,059.34 and $229,285.86 for Payroll, Including Employee Salaries, Employer and Employee Taxes, Retirement Contributions, Miscellaneous Voluntary Employee Deductions, Holiday Pay, and Other Adjustments, Including Retro-Pay; Nicole McCutchen, Administrative Services Officer.
7. Consider and Accept the Quarterly Investment Report for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025/26, for the Period Ending June 30, 2026; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator
8. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 07-20-2026-A Approving the Salary Range Tables for Police Dispatch Records Shift Supervisor; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
QUARTERLY REPORTS
9. Receive the City of Sonora Administrative Services Department Report for the 4th Quarter of FY25/26; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
10. Receive the City of Sonora Community Development Department Quarterly Report for April, May, and June 2026; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
11. Receive City of Sonora Fire Department Quarterly Report for April, May and June 2026; Brittan Gregory, Fire Chief.
12. Receive the City of Sonora Public Works Department Quarterly Report for April, May, and June of 2026; Matthew Lewallen, Public Works Supervisor.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie had nothing to report.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Commission on Homelessness; and Visit Tuolumne County Board meeting.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill shared an update on Opportunity Zone 2.0 Application.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC); Tuolumne County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC); and the Candidate Forum.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended a presentation by Pat Perry; and shared the next Chamber Mixer is at the Masonic Lodge.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:46 pm.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.